A SCHOOLGIRL flies to Canada today hoping to kick-box her way to the top.

Shannon Priestley, nine, from Fern Street, Ramsbottom, is competing in the World Kickboxing Association World Amateur Championships at Niagara Falls.

The contest is expected to attract around 3,000 entrants of all ages from around the world, but the stiff competition does not faze Shannon, a pupil at St Joseph's Primary School.

She has been involved in the sport since she was five and came fourth in her category at last year's championships.

Fighting

Shannon, who trains four times a week at Alf's Black Belt Academy in Stacksteads, Rossendale, said: "I enjoy competing in the big championships, and fighting people from different countries."

Her mum Michelle said: "I encouraged her to get into it because she's small for her age and it's a good way of protecting herself - she loved it from day one."

It seems to have worked - her sister Tasha, 15, said: "I don't dare to argue with her any more, the last time I did she kicked me in the stomach!"

Sporting prowess runs in the family. Tasha plays football for the school of excellence in Bury and at county level, Shannon also studies ballet twice a week and three-year-old Liam wants to follow in her footsteps at Alf's next year. will spend nine days in Canada with her dad Sean.